The Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS Among Central American, South American, and Caribbean Immigrants to Houston, Texas
Author: Bouckenooghe, Alain R
Date Published: 2002
A retrospective study with respect to demographics and clinical parameters was conducted of all HIV/AIDS patients born in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean region, presenting to the Harris County Hospital District (public facilities) between 1994 and 1998. The original case definition criteria were fulfilled by 240 patients, 168 (70.0%) of whom were from Central America (including Panama),4 2 (17.50;0)o f whom were from the Caribbean, and 30 (12.50;0) of whom were from South America. The Central America group contained the highest proportion of women (37.50;0c ompared with 20.8% among the group from the Caribbean and South America, P = 0.01, chi-square). The mean age was significantly lower among those born in Central America (32.4 vs. 38.8 for those born in the other two areas). The most commonly observed opportunistic infections were toxoplasmosis (14.80;0)p, neumocystosis (19.90;0)a, nd tuberculosis (12.1% ). Thesed ata confirm the distinct epidemiologic parameters among Central American residents compared to the non-Central American populations as the Central American patients present with mv infection to our health care system at a youngera ge and are more often women.T he high rate of toxoplasmosisp, neumocystosis, and tuberculosisa mongt hose immigrants from the areasa ssessedin this study are a reminder of the need for intensified prophylaxis against these infections when working with patients from these populations.
Date Published: 2002
A retrospective study with respect to demographics and clinical parameters was conducted of all HIV/AIDS patients born in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean region, presenting to the Harris County Hospital District (public facilities) between 1994 and 1998. The original case definition criteria were fulfilled by 240 patients, 168 (70.0%) of whom were from Central America (including Panama),4 2 (17.50;0)o f whom were from the Caribbean, and 30 (12.50;0) of whom were from South America. The Central America group contained the highest proportion of women (37.50;0c ompared with 20.8% among the group from the Caribbean and South America, P = 0.01, chi-square). The mean age was significantly lower among those born in Central America (32.4 vs. 38.8 for those born in the other two areas). The most commonly observed opportunistic infections were toxoplasmosis (14.80;0)p, neumocystosis (19.90;0)a, nd tuberculosis (12.1% ). Thesed ata confirm the distinct epidemiologic parameters among Central American residents compared to the non-Central American populations as the Central American patients present with mv infection to our health care system at a youngera ge and are more often women.T he high rate of toxoplasmosisp, neumocystosis, and tuberculosisa mongt hose immigrants from the areasa ssessedin this study are a reminder of the need for intensified prophylaxis against these infections when working with patients from these populations.
